Device for clamping and tearing checks or paper



(No Model.)

W. G. MORTON. Device for Clamping and Tearing Checks or Paper. No. 233,686.

Patented Oct. 26,1880.

UNITED STATES WARNER G. MORTON, OF PITTSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

DEVICE FOR CLAMPING AND TEARING CHECKS OR PAPER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 233,686, dated October 26, 1880.

Application filed March 10, 1880.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WARNER G. MORTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsfield, in the county of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Devices for Clamping and Tearing Checks or Paper, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide an attachment for check and other similar books by which the checks or other papers may be clamped to the back or book-cover and read ily torn off, as desired.

The improvements are illustrated in the accompanyin g drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a check-book with my invention applied thereto; Fig. 2, a vertical sectional view of the same, and Fig. 3 an inverted plan view of a portion of the book-cover or other base-piece.

Referring to the drawings, the letter A indicates one-half of a book-cover, or it may be simply a base-piece of wood or other rigid material. The under side of the cover or base A is provided with a recess or groove extending transversely across the same, and within said recess or groove is arranged a cylindrical pin, 0, which is confined in place by bearings composed of loops 0, and is provided at its outer free end with an angular head for receiving a key, by means of which said pin can be rotated in its bearings. Near its outer end the pin is provided with a ratchet-wheel, a, with which engages the free end of a springpawl, d, for preventing a retrograde movement of the pin when turned in one direction.

To the under side of the book-cover or basepiece A, at or near one end thereof, is attached one end ofa wire or cord, 1), which extends around the back or base piece and over the papers in contact with the same, and said wire (N0 model.)

or cord is connected at its other end to the cylindrical pin. By rotating said pin the wire or cord will be tightened and clamped down upon the papers, and such portion of the wire or cord which is in contact with the latter serves as a guide or gage for tearing the checks or leaves along the edge of said Wire or cord.

A blade, D, of metal or other material, is arranged on the wire or cord at right angles to the same, and serves to tear off the checks or leaves at right angles to the direction of the wire or cord 11.

By arranging the cylindrical pinwithin a recess or groove in the under side of the back or base piece said pin is practically flush with the same, and hence is not liable to mar the table or other support on which the book or base-piece is used.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim is- The back or base piece A, having the cylindrical pin 0 extending transversely across it, and confined thereon by loops, in which it can be rotated, and having at or near its outer end a ratchet, c, with which engages a pawl, 01, in combination with a wire or cord, I), attached at one end to the back or base piece, and extending around the same in direct contact with the checks or papers thereon, and having its other end connected with the cylindrical pin, said wire or cord serving as a guide or gage by which to tear 0d the checks or papers, all substantially as herein shown and described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WARNER e. MORTON. [n s] Witnesses:

W. G. HAUFF, E. F. KASTENHUBER. 

